From Ascetic to Aesthetic: the Catharsis
of Ernesto “Che” Guevara
By: William David Almeida
Cuban Revolution
• 26th of July Movement
• Commander of the Fourth Column
• Battle of Santa Clara
Having originally served as the 26th of
July Movement’s medical doctor, “Che”
quickly rose to the ranks of commandante
after demonstrating implacable
fearlessness and resolve on the battlefield.
Eventually, he would lead the decisive
battle in Santa Clara which terminated the
Batista regime.
Ascetic Progression
• Argentina
• Cuba
• Bolivia
Why is it that such a privileged individual
abandoned comfort time and time again to place
himself into incredibly austere circumstances,
and how is it that he became aestheticized (both
photographically and intellectually) as a result?
The Guevara Family
Guatemalan Coup (1954)
Tipping Point:
This event concretized
“Che’s” belief that
armed revolution
would be the only
realistic catalyst to
socioeconomic reform
throughout Latin
America.
Excerpts from Che’s Message to the
Tricontinetal Congress (1965)
• “Latin America constitutes a more or less
homogenous whole, and in almost its entire territory
U.S. capital holds absolute primacy.”
• “Our every action is a battle cry against imperialism
and a call for unity against the great enemy of the
human race: the United States of North America.”
How ironic is it that the image
of an individual who plotted
terrorist attacks in sites such
as Grand Central Station
(NYC) has garnered and
maintained such an
intransigent following in
contemporary, post-911
‘America?’
Dichotomist Perspective
• Has the personage of “Che” been cheapened due to the
capitalization of “Guerrillero Heroíco” (arguably the
most highly disseminated, reproduced, photographic
image of all time)?
• On the other hand, has the photographic proliferation
of “Che” rendered an emotional appeal in favor of
socialism/communism? Has this system assumed a
‘fiercely beautiful’ appearance as a result?
Martyr, murderer, or both?
Is there a finite means to
appropriately labeling
“Che”?
Contemporary Politicization
Immediate Catharsis
• After completing various pilgrimages throughout
Latin America and other parts of the world, “Che”
concluded that armed revolution would be the only
means to successfully initiate socioeconomic reform.
Thus, he would ‘swap the stethoscope in favor of the
rifle’ to be at the vanguard of foreign revolution. This
reconciliation between thought and action, the
activation of his ideals, the emotional purgation he
exhibits in response to neo-imperialistic injustice can
be thought of as the immediate catharsis of “Che.”
Secondary Catharsis
• In the 45 years following the execution of “Che,” “Guerrillero
Heroíco” has become iconized through various mediums: tshirts, pop-art posters, cigarette lighters, etc… In this sense,
“Che” has become aestheticized in a purely artistic manner.
The observer is overwhelmingly attracted while often
possessing little-to-no background information with respect
to this individual. Regardless, the viewer may still experience
a sort of visually derived, emotional purification.
• However, if inspired to research “Che,” one may further
experience a sort of intellectual catharsis when considering
the self-imposed, ascetic tasks this individual undertook.
General Questions to Consider
• Who do we as the ‘American’ public idolize today and
why?
• Is the taking of another life (or even a multitude of
lives) justifiable as the means to a better end on the
behalf of a larger majority?
• Where do we draw the line between sacrifice and selfrighteous indignation?
• How trusting can we be toward secondary and tertiary
accounts regarding historical figures?
Works Cited
Anderson, John Lee. Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life. New York City, NY: Grove Press, 1997. Print.
Berry, Maria, Dir. The True Story of Che Guevara. Wild Eye Productions, 2007. Web. Autumn 2012.
<http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-true-story-of-che-guevara/>.
Fontova, Humberto. Exposing the Real Che Guevara (and the Useful Idiots who Idolize Him). Penguin Group
(Sentinel), 2007. Print.
Guevara, Ernesto. The Diary of Che Guevara. San Francisco, CA: Ramparts Magazine, 1968. Print.
Lopez, Luis, Dir. Chevolution. Dir. Trisha Ziff, and . 2008. Film. 12 Nov 2012.
<http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70094835&trkid=7115812&t=Chevolution&pt_request_id=edcdba48
-e58e-46e6-bd2a5cffbf36e1063072445&pt_rank=0&pt_row=0&pt_location=WATCHNOW>.
Reid-Harry, Simon. A Revolutionary Friendship: Fidel and Che. New York City, NY: Walker Publishing Company,
Inc. 2009. 331. Print
Salles, Walter, dir. The Motorcycle Diaries. 2004. Film. 03 Nov 2012.
<http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=60034802&trkid=2361637&t=TheMotorcycle Diaries>.
Sinclair, Andrew. Che Guevara. New York City, NY: Viking Press, Inc., 1970. 1-5, 63-64 . Print
Villegas, Harry. Pombo: A Man of Che's Guerrilla. New York City, NY: Pathfinder Press, 1997. 37-55. Print.
* Not included in original presentation.